Couple Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

Couple Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Alfred Dasilva, 46, of Greece, NY and Sharon Sexton, 45, of Gates, NY, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, a $250,000 fine or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the investigation began when a school resource officer employed by the Gates Police Department was informed by a school official that Sexton was taking nude photos of a female student. The ensuing investigation determined that Sexton sent these photos to her boyfriend, Alfred Dasilva. Sexton was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to both taking the photos and then sending them to Dasilva. She told officers that she took the photos and sent them to Dasilva because he asked her to, and that Dasilva used the naked photos to “fantasize.”

Federal investigators examined Dasilva’s cellphone and also located a video of a child performing oral sex on Dasilva. Sexton admitted to being the person who took the video. Several online chats were also recovered from the cellphone in which Sexton and Dasilva graphically discussed engaging in sexual conduct with children.

The defendants were also charged in State Court related to sexual activity with a child and endangering the welfare of a child.

The pleas are the culmination of a joint investigation by the Gates Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force consisting of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Rochester Police Department, the Greece Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.

DaSilva is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., and Sexton is scheduled to be sentenced on February 18, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. both before Judge Geraci. The defendants are being detained pending sentencing.